AFCON 2023: Elephants finally ready for battle
Ivory Coast are ready for their AFCON campaign after wrapping up their training camp with a big win over Sierra Leone
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Just 6 days to go until Ivory Coast kick off the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from 13 January to 11 February. The Elephants have been chasing continental glory since 2015 and dream of winning the AFCON on home soil. Despite the presence of favourites such as Senegal, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, the Ivorians have a strong hand to play. And it all starts on Saturday 13 January against Guinea-Bissau.
In Jean-Louis Gasset's eyes, all the signs are green a few days before this adventure begins. On Saturday 6 January, the Elephants beat Sierra Leone (5-1) with a spectacular attacking display. In their last 5 outings, the Ivorians have scored 18 goals. Ivory Coast's attack is shaping up as one of this team's main assets. They put 9 past the Seychelles in November, and 5 past Sierra Leone. It is impressive attacking firepower that keeps lifting the whole squad a few days before they face Guinea-Bissau. The Djurtus will need to be on their guard after conceding 6 goals against Mali in a friendly.
A successful training camp
At the post-match press conference, the head coach was pleased with the performance. "It's a friendly to finish a camp that has gone very well. We wanted to be in AFCON conditions. We wanted to suffer through the work and the heat. Everything has been extremely positive. The aim of this camp is to try to balance out everyone's level. We needed some very specific work. There will be a lot of changes to give people playing time. Tomorrow's team will be consistent so that everyone is close to their best physical level", said the French coach. As good news never comes alone, Gasset even announced the return of two key players: Sébastien Haller and Simon Adingra. " If all goes as planned, Haller and Adingra won't be far off joining collective training from next week", the Ivory Coast coach promised.
As the hours pass, the pressure will build on Franck Kessié's team-mates. And the backing of the crowd will be decisive in achieving the main objective. Captain Max Gradel stresses the importance of the supporters, even in the toughest moments. "It's the end of the camp. We've just spent an extraordinary week. I sensed a real bond between the older players and the younger ones. It's a friendly. I want us to finish the camp well with no injuries. Don't ask yourselves questions if you do one session out of two. The competition is going to be long. Everyone must be at a hundred per cent. Raise yourselves to your highest. Once you are at your highest level, the whole team will be at its highest level. And the message has got through...".